Challenges and Opportunities Faced by Informal Traders at Murahwa Green Market, Mutare

Abstract

The paper problematises socio-economic challenges faced by informal traders in the case of Murahwa Green Market Mutare. The study draws global literature from Africa and Asia in order to show the socio-economic challenges faced by the informal traders beyond the country. The utility of the capability approach was imperative to the study as it revealed the potential and opportunities that informal traders endow if given the leeway to join the mainstream social insurance. The study interrogates the socio-economic challenges faced by the informal traders at Murahwa Green Market in Mutare. The study was conducted in Sakubva because it is where most informal sector activities take place in Mutare. A mixed method approach was used to collect data through interviews and questionnaires. The study reveals that chief among the socio-economic challenges faced by the informal traders include losses due to fluctuating prices, cash crisis and price hikes. These economic challenges have negatively affected the informal sector business to the extent that some form of social security is needed to guarantee their informal sector business as it has become the largest employment sector in Zimbabwe. Social challenges faced by the informal traders include theft which was reported to be the chief among the social challenges. One of the recommendations of this paper is that the informal traders should be given some form of social security to cushion them in the event of socioeconomic challenges affecting them. Social security should be in the form of social insurance for this group.